Ski racks for carriers



April 15, 1958 u. c. MC'MILLER 3,378,182

SKI RACKS FDR CARRIERS Filed Nov. 17, 1966 WVE/YTOR (/QSA/Y C M W14 LE2 Maw United States Patent M 3,378,182 SKI RACKS FOR CARRIERS Urban C. McMiiler, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Karpak Company, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Nov. 17, 1966, Ser'. No. 595,220 4 Claims. (Cl. 224-29) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A multi-pair skirack particularly adapted for attachment to various top portions of a motor vehicle which essentially consists in a bottom ski rest bar having a plurality of similar resilient ski clip elements arranged in opposing, cooperating pairs, each of which have a resilient leg laterally movable longitudinally of said bar. The invention is further characterized by the cooperating pairs of clip elements having at their outer ends oppositely inclincd portions to define diverging ski entrance means and for facilitating production of a wedging action to tension the resilient legs. The divergent entrance portions also expose edges of a pair of skis clamped in bottom-to-bottom abutment. Finally, the invention comprises a clamping bar hingedly connected to one end of the ski rest bar and adapted to overlie the same in substantially parallel relation and provided with means for retaining the clamping bar in said parallel relation. On its underside the clamping bar carries somewhat compressible clamping means extending longitudinally thereof for positively clampin against the exposed edges of skis disposed in the clips, when the clamping bar is swung to parallel position and retained therein.

This invention relates to ski carriers adapted to be mounted on the trunk deck or top of motor cars, and has particular pertinency to an improved and simplified ski rack which may be employed in multiple, for snugly and frictionally retaining several pairs of skis which are disposed compactly in bottom surface abutment.

The invention is also applicable to a stationary ski holder supported on the door of a building for retaining and locking several pairs of skis in substantially vertical position.

The prior art shows a number of ski racks for retaining, and in some instances locking several pairs of skis in predetermined, spaced relation, and adapted to be employed as a part of ski carriers mounted on motor cars as well as in numerous instances, employed for stationary use at motels and buildings occupied by skiers. Several of the devices of the prior art employ in such racks, a lower ski-supporting bar having a plurality of ski-engaging elements thereon in combination with a swingable frame-rack closing bar hingedly supported at one end some distance above the lower bar, and swingable to a closed position where it is retained to confine the skis and complete the rack.

In such prior art a separate means for each pair of skis must be provided on the lower bar, requiring adjust ment or manipulation and fastening to properly receive and embrace a pair of skis compactly arranged in bottomto-bottorn relation.

None of the prior art shows racks of the type described where the skis in pairs, may be dropped or slightly pushed for frictional embracement and location.

It is an object of my invention to provide a highly efficient and simplified ski rack for use singly or in multiple on ski carriers or holders, requiring a minimal number of parts and ski-embracing elements which project upwardly from a lower ski rest bar and which are arranged in pairs for the formation of novel, resilient clips adapted 3,373,182 Patented Apr. 16, 1968 to receive and frictionally embrace pairs of skis when dropped or lightly pushed therein.

A further object is the provision of a ski rack of the class described, further provided with a swingable top rack bar which with the lower ski rest bar when latched in a predetermined parallel position therewith, applies compression to the edges of the skis and in combination with said clips, prevents the skis as carried in travel, from rattling or shifting positions longitudinally or otherwise in the racks.

Another and more specific object is to provide ski racks of the class described, wherein the upstanding clip elements may be formed identically, but disposed and detachably connected to the lower ski-mounting bar for eflicient operation.

A still further object is the provision of a plurality of similar clip elements having detachable connection with the lower bar of the rack and arranged oppositely in pairs for providing divergent ski-entrance portions near their upper ends with resilient, laterally movable frictional retaining portions at the central and lower portions of arms of the clips.

The foregoing and other objects will be more apparent from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters designate similar parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a motor car showing a pair of my improved ski racks employed as important parts of a ski carrier mounted on the trunk deck of the car;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation foreshortencd by central parts of the rack being broken away, illustrating my improved ski rack structure;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, and showing a pair of skis confined and embraced at all edges thereof, by my rack construction;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing three of my improved ski clip elements and the relation of the retaining means at the lower portions of the clip elements and in the top of the lower ski rest bar, a third of said elements being turned through relative to the positioning of the other elements, to show the manner in which the tang is engaged in the appropriate accommodating recess of the lower bar; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view looking downwardly from above, of two of the attached clip elements to show the slightly skewed relationship of the frictional ski-edge engaging members.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a pair of my improved ski racks indicated as entireties by the letter R are employed in spaced part, aligned relationship as principal parts of an overall motor car ski carrier.

Many types of frames for supporting the two rack structures R may be employed. In the embodiment illustrated I provide two opposed, vertically extending frames indicated as entireties by the letter P, which may be constructed from channel iron or the like, having substantially straight lower sections 6 which at front and rear may be interconnected with the trunk deck or top of a car through the medium of suction cups 7. These frames as shown have hinged, upwardly extending forward channels 8 pivoted at their lower and curved ends by pivots 8a to the forward ends of the lower frame legs 6. At the rear of the section 6, the channel or material is curved upwardly to form rear post sections 9 to the upper ends of which straight top channels 10 are pivotally connected by pivots 10b. The top channels 10, at their free ends, extend to or slightly beyond the upstanding forward sections 8 and as shown, are provided with two or more securing apertures llla which are selectively adapted to register with corresponding apertures in the upper portion of upstanding sections 8, to provide for angular adjustment of the top sections 10. Such adjustment is important to enable the skis supported in the rack assembly to be properly positioned above the trunk decks and rear tops of cars which vary in configuration and size, as will be apparent from FIG. 1.

As shown a pair of my rack structures R are secured to and interconnect the two aligned supporting frames, each of said rack structures having a lower mounting or ski rest bar 12 which may be constructed of channel iron or other suitable material affording the necessary rigidity. The channel construction of the lower mounting bars 12 affords a wider upper, horizontal web or plate 12a which may be affixed at spaced points at each side through rivets or bolts to the portion of the top sections of the two frames F. The overall mounting and the two opposed frames F are reinforced at the forward portion by a cross panel 13 which is interconnected at its ends with the upstanding sections 8 of the two frame members.

Since the two rack structures R are identical, the corresponding and similar parts of each will be identified by the same reference characters.

At one end of the lower mounting bar 12 (left end as viewed in FIG. 2), an upstanding, rigidly affixed post structure 14 is provided, being as shown of channel construction with lower angled attachment portions 140 which are riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the left end of the lower mounting bar 12, as by rivets 15. The channel-like post 14 as shown has an inwardly angled upper portion 14b, to which is pivotally secured a swingable top bar 16, also as shown being constructed of angle iron or the like. A channeled post member 17 generally similar to the post 14, is rigidly affixed by rivets or the like 15 at its inturned angled attachment portion 17a, to the opposite or right hand end of the lower ski mounting bar.

At the upper end of the post 17, a pair of spaced arms 17b are provided, angled relatively to the post and extending inwardly for receiving the free end of the channel-shaped swingable top bar 16. The channeled top bar 16 is pivoted at its opposite end by rivets or other pivot elements 19, to the inwardly or angled portion 14b of the left upstanding post 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the top bar 16 is swung to closed position, it extends parallel and in spaced relation to the lower ski rest bar 12, being interfitted with the portions 171) of post 17. Means are provided for retaining the top bar 16 in said closed position, as shown comprising an elongate hook element 20, having a downwardly extending hook 200 at its upper end, which is adapted to interfit and engage a slotted portion 16a near the free end and in the upper web of the top angle bar 18.

The shank 20b of the hook member extends downwardly and is curved somewhat at its lower portion, and then is formed to create a pivot loop 200 which surrounds a pivot pin 21 transversely carried by a channel arm 22a of a fastening lever 22. The fastening lever is intermediately pivoted and fulcrumed on a pivot pin 23 affixed transversely of the medial portion of the channel post 17. Lever 22 has a manipulating arm 22b for tightening and releasing the hook member 20.

It will be seen that the relation of the pivot member 23 for the lever and the pivot member 21 for journaling the lower end of the hook member, is an overcenter relationship whereby when the hook proper (20a) engages the transverse slot at the free end of the upper swingable bar 16 with the parts disposed as shown in dotted lines, swinging of the manipulating lever arm 22b upwardly tightens the linkage which includes channel arm 22a of the lever and the shank 20b of the hook member, positively retaining the upper bar in its extreme rack-closing position.

If desired, a common padlock having its loop L or staple portion of proper width to snugly straddle the tightening handle 22b and the interior of post 17, may be applied as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, to securely lock the top bar and rack to prevent theft of the skis contained in the cooperating clip elements.

Aflixed to the lower ski rest bar 12 of each rack and upstanding therefrom, are a plurality of pairs of resilient ski clip elements 24, all of said elements being preferably (but not necessarily) of identical configuration and structure. These elements in configuration are of generally distorted inverted U-shape and when attached to the lower part of the rack by bar 12, are successively reversed in pairs for purposes which will clearly appear hereafter.

Each of the clip members 24- has an upwardly extending, substantially straight leg 24a, the lower end of which is secured to rack bar 12, and a resilient leg 24b spaced from said first leg and preferably integrally connected therewith at its upper end at a sharply curved apex 240. The upper portion 24d of the second leg is inclined or obliquely disposed of the leg 24a whereby when two of said clips are oppositely arranged, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a diverging entrance portion E is provided, for easily accommodating a pair of skis disposed in compact bottom-to-bottom relation, and for further facilitating spreading and resilient action of the two opposed cooperating leg elements 241), to cause frictional embracement of the pair of skis by the two cooperating clip elements 24.

While various means could be utilized successfully for attaching the plurality of cooperating pairs of the clip elements 24 to the lower ski rest bar 12, I prefer to employ structural means whereby the resilient flexible legs 2411 which cooperate to form the ski embracing clip, are attached at their lower ends to the lower rack bar 12, in a manner to permit slidable relation of the lower ends of legs 24!) in directions laterally of said legs, but longitudinally of the bar 12 while still being interlocked with said bar. Thus, regardless of whether the upstanding, substantially straight legs 24a are permanently secured to the lower rack bar 12 or not (as by spot welding, riveting of a turned attachment flange at the lower ends of legs 24a), an interlocking sliding attachment for the lower ends of the resilient legs 24b relative to lower part 12 is important.

Referring to the embodiment of the clips and attach ment means illustrated in the drawings, a narrowed tang 24e extending angularly to each leg 24b is provided, preferably integrally formed therewith and as shown, comprising about one half the width of the leg 24]). This tang in each instance extends at one side of the longitudinal center of the leg 24b so that when two clips 24 are disposed in cooperative relationship as shown in FIG. 4, an actual slight overlapping of the tangs in side-by-side relation upon the bar is made possible. Each of the tangs 24c terminate in a single-notched connector element (depending) 24 which is adapted to be interlocked in one or more narrow, oblong slots 12s, formed in the top web of the lower ski rest bar 12 and extending longitudinally of said bar. To insert and interlock the tangs 24e, the clip member 24 is swung or rotated from the position shown in FIG. 4 of the two left hand clips to the position shown for the right hand clip, whereby the width of the tang is accommodated longitudinally in one of the slots 12s. Thereafter, the clip is again swung through to the positions shown in FIG. 2 and indicated in FIG. 4, with the interlocking of the notched extremity within the confining and attachment slot 12s which is utilized.

It will be seen that two sets of said tang-interlocking slots 12s and 12s are formed in the upper web of the channel lower bar 12. The second set 12s is adapted to receive the tangs of cooperating, oppositely disposed clip elements, as will be apparent from inspection of FIG. 4.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the entire clip elements 24 are readily attachable and detachable to the lower ski rest bar 12, although this is not essential. As shown, the straight legs 24a of each clip element are provided adjacent their lower extremities with aligned notches 2411. The longitudinal central portion of the bottom rack bar 12 is provided with appropriately spaced, trapezoidal locking apertures 12x, the longer of the parallel sides of said trapezoidal apertures being disposed nearer the lower ends of the resilient legs 24b and of a length slightly greater than the width of the lower extremities of a leg 24a. This permits the lower end of leg 24a to be inserted in the wider part of an aperture 12x when the two legs are drawn together by compression and tension of the spring material. When the tension is released, the engagement of the tang 24s in its slot and the spring action forces the notched portions rearwardly and the legs 24a are effectively affixed to the bar 12.

From inspection of FIG. it will be seen that the resilient clamping edges (longitudinal) of cooperating clip elements 24 are skewed slightly relative to the longitudinal center line of the lower bar 12 to which they are attached. This slight skewing of the important gripping surfaces of the resilient legs 24b provide slight leading edges at front and rear of the clamping clip which even more effectually prevents longitudinal slippage of skis when the rack is subjected to jars and vibration as when mounted on a fast moving motor car.

In FIG. 2 it will be noted that the first pair of clip elements 24 are attached to the lower rack bar 12 in a more closely spaced relationship than in the pair of cooperating clips 24 at the right of the figure. This was accomplished by inserting the double notched lower end of the upstanding straight leg 24a in the slot 12x closest to the tang-receiving slot (left hand) 12s and 12s. The tang of the second clip element utilized accordingly was connected with the left hand slot 12s of the pair to complete the closely spaced relationship of the two cooperating clips. This closely spaced clip relationship accommodates the thinner metal skis.

It will be noted (see particularly FIG. 2) that in the two different adjustable positions of a pair of cooperating clips, until a pair of skis are dropped into the clip structure, the gripping portions 24b of the cooperating clips diverge slightly from their lower ends upwardly to their connection with the entrance portions 24d. When the skis are dropped into position the main and lower portions of the resilient legs 24b are forced apart or spread into parallel relation, then exerting a maximum gripping surface upon the skis.

The clips 24 may be constructed from spring steel bent into the configurations as shown in FIG. 4, and are preferably coated with a somewhat compressible plastic or other coating to prevent abrasion entirely, of the portions of the skis held thereby.

The strength of the materials of clips 24, the tension exerted by the spacing apart and divergent relationship, and the friction gripping surfaces with my inherent structure are made such that there will be no displacement of a pair of skis in any direction when confined between a pair of the clips, regardless of the shocks, jars and other movements to which they may be subjected by attachment of the ski rack or a pair thereof, to a fast moving motor vehicle.

It is to be understood that with my structure, receiving and proper retention of the skis may be accomplished without use of the top bar 16 or the closing of the rack through the top bar or other medium.

When a top bar is utilized a plurality of compressible pads 25 constructed of sponge rubber or the like may be retained in the channel shape of top bar 16 of a height to be substantially compressed by engagement with the upper longitudinal edges of the ski pair-s when the top bar is swung to rack-closing position and secured in such position by the tightening fastener described.

In the carried assembly shown in FIG. 1, while I have this far only referred to attachment of the two irame structures F by suction cups 7 with the deck of .the trunk, it is desirable to provide some additional attachment means as a pair of adjustable straps 26, having flat bent hooks at the opposite ends thereof. One of said hooks on each strap is engaged with the rear hinged edge of the truck covering and the opposite hook of each strap is engaged with the rearward and lower edge of the hinged trunk cover. Such strap connection is conventional with many types of carriers mounted upon the trunk deck.

It will be understood that in oar mounted ski carriers, 2. pair of my racks R will be employed, aligned and spaced apart suificient distance so that the harnesses on the skis may be disposed intermediately of the pair.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided very simple and economical ski racks capa- ..ble of wide use on carrier-s, holders and the like, wherein a minimal number of parts are employed, to most efficiently grip and retain through resilient gripping pressure in wide areas, the skis against displacement when used as carriers on moving vehicles.

It will further be seen that the particular structure of the pairs of cooperating clip elements provides for highly efiicient tensioning of the resilient legs 24b of the clip elements throughout the full configuration of the pairs of legs 24a, 24b and the apices 24c.

It further will be seen that by slidably interlocking through the tangs Me or the equivalent, the lower ends of the resilient members may be moved and will slide upon the ski rest bar 12 without any danger of unlocking slide connections therewith.

Properly dimensioned for divergent space between the resilient legs 24b of cooperating clip elements, the skis may be dropped in pairs with the bottom edges abutted, into place and will then be firmly held against displacement by the cooperating tensioned, relatively large gripping surfaces.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A ski rack having in combination a ski rest bar,

a plurality of similar ski clip elements arranged in opposed cooperating pairs and attached to said bar in upstanding relation thereto,

each of said clip elements having a resilient leg which is laterally movable longitudinally of said bar when subjected to a lateral spreading pressure,

the said cooperating pairs of clip elements having divergent outer portions to facilitate entrance of a pair of skis disposed in bottom-'to-bottom relation and to also facilitate wedge action for tensioning the resilient legs of said pairs,

a ski clamping bar hingedly connected to one end of said ski rest bar and adapted to overlie said rest bar in substantially parallel relation thereto,

means for retaining said clamping bar in said substantially parallel relation to said rest bar,

and somewhat compressible clamping means secured to the underside of said clamping bar and arranged for positive clamping action against the exposed edges of skis disposed in said clip when said clamping bar is swung to parallel relation and retained therein.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower ends of said resilient clip-legs are interlocked with the ski-rest bar for limited sliding relation thereto to facilitate flexing of said resilient legs without disconnection thereof from said lower bar.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1 further characterized by an upstanding mounting for said rack having means for attachment thereof to a deck portion of a motor car,

means for securing said ski rest bar transversely to a rear portion of said mounting,

a second ski rack of the structure defined in claim 1 disposed forwardly of and in widely spaced relation to said first rack,

means for securing the ski rest bar of said second rack transversely to a forward portion of said mounting,

said upstanding mounting having upstanding posts at its forward portion hingedly connected to lower attachment bars,

and a pair of longitudinal, adjustable bracing members disposed at the sides of said upstanding mounting and having their rear ends swingably connected with the rear portion of said mounting and their forward ends provided with connection at a plurality of points with said upstanding posts to substantially vary the angulation of skis disposed in said set of two ski racks for conformance to decks of a car to facilitate clearance.

4. A ski rack having in combination a ski rest bar,

a plurality of similar ski clip -elements arranged in opposed cooperating pairs and attached to said bar in upstanding relation thereto,

each of said clip elements having a resilient leg which is laterally movable longitudinally of said bar when subjected to a lateral spreading pressure, and having a second leg secured to said bar,

the lower ends of said resilient clip-legs being slidably interlocked with said ski rest bar for limited sliding relation thereto to facilitate flexing of said resilient legs without disconnection thereof from said lower bar.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,956,812 10/1960 Lundquist -2 224-45 3,223,302 12/1965 Helm 22442.1 3,342,704 3/1966 Barreca 224-421 GER'ALD M. FORL'ENZA, Primary Examiner.

R. J. SPAR, Assistant Examiner. 

